The journalists working in the Palestinian territories do not escape the brutality
of the military occupation to which the Palestinian people and their institutions
have been subjected for many years. Local and foreign journalists alike are
vulnerable to attack by Israeli soldiers or settlers, particularly since the
outbreak of the current crisis in September 2000. Until the date of this report,
Israeli forces have gravely violated all principles of international humanitarian
law and international conventions relating to the protection of civilians in
time of war. Israeli soldiers and militant settlers have carried out frequent
attacks on journalists and reporters working for newspapers and television stations,
as well as field researchers for the human rights organisations operating in
the Palestinian territories. LAW Society’s documentation indicates that 39 journalists
and reporters have been injured by Israeli soldiers and settlers, with injuries
ranging from wounds incurred by live bullets and shrapnel to assault. 32 of
these are Palestinian journalists or reporters and 7 are foreign reporters working
in the Palestinian territories. In addition, four field researchers for Palestinian
human rights organisations have also been injured. According to LAW’s information,
Israeli forces have deliberately caused harm to teams of journalists, including
subjecting them to severe beatings and a barrage of gunshots from close range.
Journalists have had their equipment confiscated and been chased, even though
their equipment and vehicles were clearly marked ‘PRESS’ and they carried press
cards. Threats to life and security of person Journalists Adel Abu Ni’ma (Reuters
and Al Ayyam), Fat’he Barahma (The Voice of Palestine) and Imad Abu Sumbul (France
Press and Al Hayat Al Jadida newspaper), were shot at with machinegun fire by
soldiers stationed at the ‘Virdari’ settlement near Jericho and the Israeli
military outpost at the entrance to the city. The journalists, whose car was
clearly-marked, were on their way to Al Jadid Hospital in Jericho to cover the
clashes on 28 October 2000. Khalid Zaghari, a photographer for Al Quds daily
newspaper, stated to LAW, “I went to photograph the Friday noon prayers at Al
Aqsa Mosque on 29 September 2000. Immediately after the prayer, clashes broke
out, so I started taking more photographs. Suddenly I saw Israeli soldiers approaching
me; they hit me with batons on my shoulders and hands, which I had raised to
cover my head. While they were beating me, they shot at me from a distance of
less than one metre, hitting me in the leg with a rubber-coated steel bullet.
I was taken to Hadasa hospital, but I lost my camera and the pictures I had
taken. That was the twentieth time in seven years that Israeli soldiers have
attacked me. I have been hit by live and rubber coated steel bullets, and I
have also been beaten several times.” Ata Awisat, a freelance photojournalist
from Jerusalem’s Jabal Al Mukabir was severely injured in the head and face
and his body was bruised when special Israeli forces disguised as Arabs (known
as ‘Musta’ribeen’) attacked him in Jerusalem on 4 October during clashes after
the funeral of Mohammad Al Sarkhi. Awisat described the incident to LAW as follows
“On 4 October 2000, I was in Jerusalem with a group of journalists, mostly Israelis.
A group of ‘Musta’ribeen’ suddenly started attacking and arresting people, so
I began taking photos. Seven of them attacked and hit me. They got me on the
ground and stepped on me. They tried to confiscate my cameras but I wouldn’t
let go. Then they tried to pull me up so they could get the camera I had around
my neck. A border guard officer came and grabbed my neck, and one of the ‘Musta’ribeen’
stamped in my stomach. Then they noticed that there were other photographers
present so they left me and took off quickly. I passed out and woke up later
at the hospital.” Awisat added: “They treat Israeli journalists much better.
One photographer took a picture of me on the ground being beaten by six ‘Musta’ribeen’.
I had photographed two ‘Musta’ribeen’ while one was holding a gun and the other
choking a child; perhaps that was what provoked them to attack me.” He went
on: “That was the third time I have been attacked during this Intifada. The
first time was during the massacre on 29 September 2000 and the second was in
Shu’fat when the Israeli police attacked me while I was taking photographs.
I hold the Israeli authorities accountable for any future threats to my security,
because I feel that the Israeli police are filled with hatred and do not handle
these matters correctly. The Israeli police spokesman said today that I had
been standing between protesters, which means that tomorrow if I was “between
protesters” that might justify their killing me. Now the Israeli forces and
police are settling accounts with all journalists, especially since the filming
of the murder of Mohammed Al Durra in Gaza.” 34 year-old photojournalist Hazim
Bader from Hebron, who works for Associated Press, told LAW: “On 29 September
2000, I was at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers opened fire at
Palestinian worshippers and clashes broke out that went on for almost twenty
minutes. I tried to take some photos, but then I saw Israeli soldiers pointing
their guns at me. I was hit by a bullet in my right hand, the one holding the
camera. I was taken to Hadasa hospital for surgery.” 30 year-old Nasser Ishtaya
from Salem/ Nablus, who works for Associated Press in Jerusalem, stated to LAW:
“At 8:30 pm on 13 November 2000, I was on my way home along with Abdul Rahman
Al Kusini, a reporter for Reuters. Our yellow-plated (Israeli-licensed) taxi,
driven by Usama Bazbaz, was attacked by about 30 Israeli settlers on the road
near the Israeli Za’tara military outpost. While Israeli soldiers were watching,
they threw large rocks at us and managed to destroy the car, even though it
was clearly marked ‘Press’. We were bruised. We escaped to the nearby Palestinian
village of Beta where we received first aid before being taken to Rafidia hospital
in Nablus.” Ishtaya added: “That was not the first time I was attacked. On 11
October, while I was driving my car at the northern entrance to Al Bireh, Israeli
soldiers fired at me with a machinegun. They destroyed my car. I managed to
escape and was rescued by a Red Crescent ambulance.” 39 year-old photographer
Mazin Da’na from Hebron, who works for Reuters, stated to LAW: “On October 2
I was at Bab Al Zawyi in Hebron with a group of other photographers. I felt
a sharp blow on the neck and then a bullet in my left foot. I received treatment
at the nearby Red Crescent Society field hospital and then I was admitted to
Alia hospital where I underwent surgery on my foot. That was not the first time
I have been attacked; I was hit by a rubber-coated steel bullet on 1 October
and settlers attacked me on 2 October, the same day I got shot.” 27 year-old
Mohammad Al Ashkar from Tulkarem is a cameraman for ‘Al Salam’ television. He
told LAW the following: “On Friday 24 November, there was a massive protest
in south-west Tulkarem. I was covering the protest while wearing a bullet-proof
vest and a hat with the word ‘Press’ written on it. I was also carrying a camera.
When the clashes started, a man was shot twice in the leg and fell to the ground
- his name was Hashim Abu Samaha. I started filming him from a distance of only
three metres; we were 15 metres away from the Israeli soldiers. Suddenly I was
hit in the heel by an unknown type of bullet. I held my camera up so the soldiers
would realise I was a journalist, but then I heard another shot. An ambulance
took me to Tulkarem hospital. I am positive that I was intentionally shot by
the soldiers, who were very close by.” At 1:00 pm on Sunday 28 January 2001,
the ‘Watan’ television news crew was apprehended at a checkpoint near Ein Keenya,
west of Ramallah. According to LAW’s documentation, the crew, including Duha
al Shami (22) and Ashraf Kutkut, was held at the Israeli checkpoint, although
they all had valid press cards. An Israeli soldier hit Al Shami, confiscated
her video cassettes and handed Kutkut an order to see the Israeli intelligence
department in Hebron. Finally, the crew was released, and the next day they
retrieved their cameras and video cassettes after they had been inspected by
the Israeli authorities.” These are not the only Palestinian journalists attacked
by Israeli forces and settlers during the current crisis. LAW has documentation
indicating that the following journalists and photographers were also injured:
· Amer Al Ja’bari, who works for NBC, was shot in the head in Hebron. He was
admitted to Hadasa hospital. · Awad Awad, a photojournalist for France Press,
was severely beaten by Israeli soldiers who also broke his cameras in Al Aqsa
on 29 September 2000. · Naji Da’na, a photojournalist for French Channel 1,
was hit in the leg by a rubber coated steel bullet. He has also been beaten
on several occasions. · Luay Abu Haykal, a Reuters photojournalist, has been
severely beaten on many occasions. · Nasir Al Shuyukhi, a freelance photojournalist,
was hit in the waist by a rubber-coated steel bullet. · Raed Awad, a Watan television
cameraman, was shot in the left leg. · Muwafaq Matar (46) a photojournalist
for ‘Dar Falasteen Al Yawm’ in Ramallah, was shot in the head while covering
clashes at Netsarim junction on September 30, 2000. · Mahfouz Abu Turk, a freelance
photojournalist from Jerusalem, was hit by a rubber coated steel bullet in the
shoulder at Al Aqsa on September 29. · Khalid Abu Ikir, a France 2 reporter,
was beaten by Israeli Special Forces in Al Aqsa on September 29, while covering
the clashes. · Marwan Al Ghoul, photojournalist and manager of Mayadeen Media
Production, had his car shelled near Netsarim junction by an Israeli helicopter
gunship on 2 October 2000. The car and its contents (including about $20,000
worth of cameras) were destroyed. · Rami Nofal, a reporter for Palestine Radio
Station, was beaten by Israeli soldiers at Bethlehem checkpoint. · Wafeek Matar,
a journalist for the Palestinian Political Orientation Office in Gaza, was beaten
by Israeli soldiers. · Jamal Al Aruri (30), a freelance photojournalist from
Ramallah, was hit in the right arm by a rubber-coated steel bullet. · Ibraheem
Al Husari, who works for ‘Watan’ television, was hit by a rubber-coated steel
bullet in the left ear. · Abdul Rahman Al Khateeb (27), a photojournalist for
‘Al Ayyam’ newspaper in Gaza, was hit in the mouth by a steel bullet on 20 October
while covering violent clashes near the Neve Dakaleem settlement west of Khan
Younis. · Journalist Hamid Ighbariyi, manager of ‘The Voice of Right and Freedom’
in Nazareth, was attacked by Israeli police and border guards while covering
the clashes in Nazareth. · Adel Khnaifis of ‘Al Ain’ newspaper in Nazareth was
attacked by Israeli police and border guards while covering the clashes in Nazareth.
· Abdul Rahman Khabisa, an Associated Press photojournalist, was attacked by
settlers near Hiwara on October 24. His car was attacked with rocks. · Ahmad
Jad Allah (30), a Reuters photojournalist from Gaza, was hit by shrapnel in
the head on 13 February 2001 when Israeli forces shelled Khan Younis. · Shams
Al Deen Awdit Allah (31), a Reuters photojournalist from Khan Younis, was hit
by shrapnel in the right foot on 13 February 2001 when Israeli forces shelled
Khan Younis. · Abed Rabu Awdit Allah (27) from Khan Younis, a photographer for
Palestine Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), was hit by shrapnel in the head on
13 February 2001 when Israeli forces shelled Khan Younis. Four field researchers
for human rights organisations also attacked: · Fahmi Shaheen, a researcher
for LAW Society, was beaten by Israeli soldiers and border guards on 30 September.
A teargas shell was intentionally fired at him from a distance of 50 metres
as he monitored clashes in the Old City of Jerusalem. Shaheen was bruised and
suffered teargas inhalation. · Thuraya Alian, a researcher for LAW Society,
was hit in the leg on 27 October by a steel bullet fired by an Israeli soldier.
Thuraya was monitoring the clashes at the northern entrance to Al Bireh when
she was hit. · Abdul Haleem Abu Samra, a field researcher for the Palestinian
Center for Human Rights in Gaza, was attacked on 15 December 2000 by Israeli
soldiers while monitoring clashes at Tel Al Sultan in Rafah. The attackers confiscated
his camera and films. · Israeli soldiers at Beit Fureek- Beit Dajan junction
attacked Thawri Abu Jeesh, a field researcher for LAW Society, while he was
on his way home on 4 January 2001. The soldiers hit Abu Jeesh, held him for
45 minutes and confiscated his ID card for several days. Foreign journalists
· 57 year-old French journalist Jan Marie Projet of Paris Match was critically
wounded when an Israeli soldier shot him in the chest on October 22. He was
flown to France after having undergone surgery at Ramallah Hospital. · Luis
Dilia of Delahye - News Week had a lucky escape when a bullet hit his camera
while he was covering clashes in Ramallah on 9 October. · American journalist
Ben Wideman of CNN was shot in the back on 31 October at Al Mintar junction
in Gaza. · French journalist Robert Laurent (44), who works for Associated Press,
was hit by shrapnel from Israeli gunfire at Al Tufah outpost while covering
clashes in Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza on November 9. · Japanese journalist
Riokahi Yama was hit by a steel bullet in the left eye on November 9 while covering
clashes north of Al Bireh. Yama was treated at Al Razi Ophthalmic hospital.
· American journalist Yula Monkov (26), of Associated Press, was shot in the
pelvis on November 11 near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. · Belgian photojournalist
Laurent van Drustek of Gama was shot in the left leg at the northern entrance
to Al Bireh on 9 February 2001. Using bombs to silence the press The offices
of media and press associations have also come under attack. On Thursday 12
October 2000, Israeli helicopter gunships bombarded and severely damaged the
transmission stations of the Palestine TV and Radio stations in Ramallah. Israeli
forces also bombed the Palestinian Radio 2 station in Gaza on November 21. On
8 February 2001, Israeli forces shelled the offices of ‘Al Hayat Al Jadida’
newspaper, destroying two doors, nine windows, a printing machine, three PCs
and several spotlights. They also bombarded the premises of ‘Al Salam’ and ‘Al
Fajir Al Jadeed’ television stations in Tulkarem, causing severe damage. The
attacks were in October and November 2000. Israel cancels Palestinian press
cards The Israeli press office, controlled by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office,
issued an order to cancel the press cards used by Palestinian journalists working
for press centres in PNA controlled areas or occupied Jerusalem. The order meant
that Palestinian journalists could no longer cover stories in areas under Israeli
control, including occupied Jerusalem. The siege and the press The tight military
siege over the West Bank and Gaza Strip has prevented Palestinian newspapers
from reaching and being distributed in the Gaza Strip three times; most recently
since 15 February 2001. Attacking Journalists: The legal context Article 19
of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates, “Everyone has
the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom
to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Article 29 of the
same Declarations states: “Everyone has the duties to the community in which
alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. In the exercise
of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations
as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition
and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements
of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.”
Articles 50 and 51 of the ‘Protocols Additional to the 1949 Geneva Convention’
emphasise the protection of civilians in time of war including journalists,
since they are part of the civilian population: “The civilian population comprises
all persons who are civilians.” “The civilian population and individual civilians
shall enjoy general protection against dangers arising from military operations.”
Article 79 of the ‘Protocols Additional to the 1949 Geneva Convention’ stipulates:
“Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict
shall be considered as civilians within the meaning of Article 50, paragraph
1. They shall be protected as such under the Conventions and this Protocol,
provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians.”
LAW Society views the Israeli army’s measures against journalists as a policy
of silencing the press by terrorising journalists in order to prevent them from
documenting the crimes committed against the Palestinian people. LAW demands:
1. The Israeli Government to immediately stop the use of excessive and indiscriminate
force and collective punishments against Palestinian civilians. 2. The establishment
of an international investigation committee based on United Nations Security
Council resolutions 1322 of Oct 7, 2000, to investigate the violations of international
humanitarian law committed by the Israeli forces inside the occupied Palestinian
territories. 3. The international community to hold a conference for the High
Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention in order to take practical
measures to ensure Israel's adherence to the convention. 4. The international
community to pressurise Israel to immediately put an end to the occupation of
the Palestinian territories and effectively support the implementation of the
Palestinian right to self-determination. 5. Palestinian civilians to be placed
under international protection. 6. The international journalists’ unions to
take immediate measures based on their responsibilities and based on the international
conventions relative to journalists rights in order to ensure Israel’s adherence
to such conventions and to stop attacking journalists in the Palestinian territories.

LAW – The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving human rights through
legal advocacy. LAW is affiliate to the International Commission of Jurists
(ICJ), Fédération Internationale des Ligues de Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), World
Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and Member of the Euro- Mediterranean Human
Rights Network